Named as a runner-up in the Happiful Poetry Prize 2025, Oliver Berry reflects on how small moments inspire his work

‘Correlation’ by Oliver Berry was named as one of the shortlisted poems in the Happiful Poetry Prize 2025. Here, Oliver Berry reflects on the everyday moments that can be transformed into poetry, along with practical insight on editing your words.

What drew you to enter the Happiful Poetry Prize?

As with most aspiring poets, I’m always scanning for opportunities to get my work out there into the world. I was particularly drawn to the focus on mental health, something we all deal with uniquely, but can, and should, find lots of common ground with others to talk about. 

I sat with the brief for a while as I usually tend towards nature poems, so don’t typically write poems on such a subject. But when the inspiration struck I thought I’d try my luck with finding the poem a home through this competition. 

Could you tell us a little about the poem you submitted?

I began scribbling down the first lines in the notes app on my phone practically the second after the events described in them happened. It just felt like – even though it was a run-of-the-mill, insignificant occurrence that likely happens a million times a day the world over – there was something about it that demanded to be recorded. It was this juxtaposition that I played with to figure out the rest of the poem, which came easily enough.

I ask the same question of every line: ‘what is this saying?’, and if it’s not saying anything that adds to the poem, I edit until it does, or it gets cut entirely

When writing poetry, where do you find your inspiration?

I like to look for inspiration in small moments and small things. My favourite poetry almost always takes something practically insignificant – fish in the stream, sirens in the distance – and uses it to cast light on some great universal truth or emotion. I don’t normally go looking for inspiration in that sense, but hope it finds me when I need it. 

How do you approach writing a new poem?

Much as I love to labour over something technically difficult and interesting to me, the poems I am most proud of often come spilling out quickly.

I always notice a gulf in the quality of my work from when I’m in a bit of a reading slump compared to when I’ve been on the books

When editing later, I ask the same question of every line: ‘what is this saying?’, and if it’s not saying anything that adds to the poem, I edit until it does, or it gets cut entirely. It doesn’t have to be overt – I love digging into subtle details – but it has to serve a purpose. 

What advice would you give to aspiring poets?

Speak it out loud, don’t be afraid to rhyme, an (it’s a cliche, but it’s true) read as much as you can! I always notice a gulf in the quality of my work from when I’m in a bit of a reading slump compared to when I’ve been on the books.

Take inspiration from anywhere and everywhere, and don’t listen to people on the internet giving advice unless it’s something that really resonates with you! 

Read Oliver's poem, and others from 2025, here.